It appears my standard bronze tom is having problems walking. I'm not sure but it looks like
his left leg bows out a bit. It appears swollen at the joints. He is a bit overweight but not
huge compared to some I've seen. He is 8 months and ways about 30 pounds. I will probably
butcher him to insure he doesn't suffer, but I was going to keep him as a pet. I have another that
is the same age with no issues. Question: Have you heard of this? How can I keep the other
one from getting too fat? Is it bad to leave a trough of food out for them all the time? I free range them in a 40 foot enclosure.
Turkey leg issue
I don't know turkeys but i know some on this forum has them.........Calling all turkey folks we have a question here...........That should get you some help^_^
I have 2 turkeys and not sure about them. I was told that they need high protein.
The broad bresteds are notorious for leg problems. The are bred for short term and grow fast. That is the reasoning behind the extra protien when they are growing. I would check the joints carefully to see if there is any heat or signs of infection. therwise, it is probably like arthritis. I have had some chicks develop leg problems while others don't even though they were from the same clutch and raised exactly the same. If you want long term turkeys, I would go with the heritage breeds. The Narragansetts are even more beautiful than the bronze, but have that traditional turkey appearance.
I feed my turkeys twice a day and they are pastured the rest of the time. When I had the Narries, they were loose all the time and had a pan of feed available in their shelter. The Narries were very tame and pretty funny. The main reason I got rid of them was that the tom developed a liking for chasing cars. I have my limits and that was it. I passed them on to someone who wanted to breed them. (in a PEN)
what turkeys would you recommend for back yard poultry, I want to breed to hatch and for meat. I have a pair of Royal Palms, that are a little over a year old. They will just be for breeding, and then when they stop they will be pets. They do keep the ruckus down in the chicken yard. They run the crows the cats and dogs out of there.
I didn't know turkeys would chase cars LOL
Actually his favorite to chase was a big red truck. The guy would go around the block several times in a row just to watch. Eventually I would go out and chase him back into the back yard. The guy told me that he couldn't decide which was funnier, the turkey chasing the truck or me chasing the turkey. Oh well, it gives me material for my book.
I would definately recomend Narragansets, other than their ability to fly (and chase cars) they were wonderful. Good layers and setters and very hardy. The meat was pretty tasty too.
I've had the exact same problem before!:( now my only hen is lonely and i would like to get another PET turkey. what would be the best breed two get so that it would live as long as posible comfortably?
Thanks for the suggestions. FYI the standard bronze is an unimproved heritage bird. They are not the same as the broad breasted bronze.
I do believe this particular bird has joint problems, most likely genetic. I am going to
slaughter him and donate the meat to a church for Thanksgiving. I get too attached
to the ones I raise to eat them. I also think I have overfead them. Thanks again.
my neighbor has broad breasted bronze, and a couple of his became parylized for no apparent reason.i think it's the breed
wow that is sad Kathy. I just love mine, these 2 will not make it to the dinner table but the tom off spring will. I will stay with the Heritage breeds.
That is to funny about the turkey chasing the truck, and you chasing him. I can see mine doing it but I live a 1/4 mile from the road so not a chance for him to do that. But it is my female that will chase the cats and dogs off, she dont like ducks or crows either.